the trans cross member is mostly complete. I just need to make a bracket for the urethane mount to sit on. I ended up pulling the engine off the frame to open up the bolt holes in the brackets on the frame for the engine mounts. I couldn't get the tailshaft to move to where it needed to be, but now I can move it around some.

after spending some time holding up various bits of metal and trying to figure out how I wanted to make the mount pad, I decided to keep it simple. I bent a piece of 3/16" plate, dilled a hole and welded it in place. Next on the list is ordering some more materials: the loops for the driveshaft and exhaust to pass through the rear cross member, a few 1 3/4" 180 degree bends to modify the headers and some other odds and ends.

I did some work on the bed. Before, the only thing holding the sides at the back was the tailgate when closed with the chains. On a stock truck, the bed floor was wood and there were wood cross bars under the bed. The rear most one was through bolted to the bottom of the rear stake pockets. I put some box tube from side to side to hold it together. The rear most piece of tube has uprights that go up inside the stake pockets. I plug welded them inside the pockets. It made the rear bed sides a lot more stiff and stable now, even with tailgate off.

Watching with interest. My son just picked up a 53 Chevy truck and will be doing something similar to what you are doing here. I will send him the link so he can follow along as well. Nice work and keep us posted on the progress.